Microfabricated Chemical and Biochemical Analysis Systems

Microfabricated analysis systems are advancing the field because they enable low-volume, highly sensitive, rapid and automated microfluidic sample processing and analysis. While microfabricated capillary electrophoresis and PCR reaction systems have been available for many years, a relatively new advance has been the development of microfabricated valves, pumps and reservoirs for on-chip sample processing [Grover et al., Sensors Actuators B89 325 (2003)]. This technology has led to the development of automated sample processing systems for DNA sequencing and analysis, immunoassays, and forensics [Jensen et al., Lab Chip 10, 685 (2010)]. In addition, microvalve-based systems have been used to perform sample preparation integrated with the Mars Organic Analyzer for the detection of biomarkers in planetary exploration [Stockton et al., Astrobiology, 11, 519 (2011)]. These systems have also been used to perform single cell genetic analysis using microemulsion PCR methodologies [Zeng et al., Anal.Chem. 82, 3183 (2010)]. Examples of Single Cell Genetic Analysis (or SCGA) will also be presented [Novak et al., Angew. Chem. Int. 50, 390 (2011)]